***See you soon?: University Bookstore Mill Creek, Monday 12/7, at 7:00P and Parkplace Books Kirkland, Thursday, 12/10, at 7:00P. Free cookies! A reading! Free gift-wrapping at both stores!***
Well, our CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS videotape finally bit the dust, leaving us with THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS (not the live-action version--I hate people running around in stuffed suits) and A CHRISTMAS STORY. It's taken the kids a few years to warm up to the latter. The narrator uses a lot of big words and most of the jokes are aimed at adults. Watching the movie did yield the classic family story a couple years ago, however: Scott made peppermint fudge, and when my youngest saw it on the counter, she said, "Daddy made a big pan of the f-word."
In any case, two movies does not a Christmas movie collection make, and I have been requested to make some new purchases. But which family-friendly videos should I go for? Scott suggested MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, but I know the black-and-white will not go over big. There's ELF, I suppose. Moviefone suggests DIE HARD and LOVE, ACTUALLY and James Joyce's THE DEAD, among others, but since I squirm when Ralphie fondles the leg lamp in front of my children, I don't think those will work.
There are always the classics they show on TV, Rudolph and such. But since I clock out from parenting at 7:30, I can't keep the kids up till when they run those shows in prime time. (Prime time isn't called prime time for nothing--last night we popped in Jack Black's YEAR ONE, which got awful reviews. All I can say is, the reviewers weren't Jack Black fans. If you liked NACHO LIBRE, and I really, really did, this one's for you. Who knew Cain and Abel could be played for laughs?)
If anyone has suggestions out there, I'd love to hear from you.
Gotta get the Muppet version of The Christmas Carol. It really is great. We got it after someone from book club suggested it last year.
ReplyDeleteWe like Home Alone 1 & 2. There's a 1994 Miracle on 34th Street with Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson (it might be considered more girl-friendly than boy-friendly, though)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melissa: "A Muppet Christmas Carol" is an absolute must. My daughters are now 17 and 20, and Christmas still isn't Christmas without that movie! If your kids like Veggie Tales, I liked "The Toy That Saved Christmas." It has a bit of a Dr. Seuss feel but with the humor of Veggie Tales. "The Santa Clause" is also funny, but it may be a little older than your youngest, especially if there is still a strong belief in Santa at your house.
ReplyDelete